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US House condemns UN resolution on Israeli settlements

Republicans accuse President Obama of turning his back on Israel by not using veto in UN Security Council vote.

06 Jan 2017 09:40 GMT

About 600,000 Israelis live in Jewish-only settlements, which are illegal under international law [Baz Ratner/Reuters]

The US House of Representatives has overwhelmingly approved a bipartisan measure that rebukes the United Nations for criticising Israeli settlements.

The congressional non-binding resolution was passed by 342 to 80 on Thursday. It declares unwavering support for Israel and insists that the United States reject any future UN actions that are similarly "one-sided and anti-Israel".

Republicans used the debate to accuse President Barack Obama of turning his back on Israel over his administration's decision to abstain and allow the UN Security Council to approve in December a resolution calling settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem "a flagrant violation under international law".

"Our government abandoned our ally Israel when she needed us the most," said House Speaker Paul Ryan.

"It is time to repair the damage done by this misguided hit job at the UN."